THE GOP EIGHT - AT 4:26 P.M. ET:  Paul Mirengoff, at Power Line, lists the eight Republicans who voted for the absurd energy bill yesterday, making life much easier for Democrats:

Eight Republicans voted in favor of the legislation. They are: Mary Bono (CA), Mike Castle (DE), Mark Kirk (IL), Leonard Lance (NJ), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), Chris Smith (NJ), John McHugh (NY), and David Reichert (WA).

COMMENT:  I'm very surprised at Mark Kirk and Chris Smith, usually good guys.  Kirk wants to run for the Senate from Illinois next year, to try to capture Roland Burris's seat.  Maybe this vote was part of that.  I don't know.  I suspect the others come from swing districts where the Republicanism is moderate and the liberalism is fierce, and they just wanted to protect themselves.  Party leaders don't seem particularly angry with them.

June 27, 2009